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Spontaneous imaginary companion (SIC) creation in childhood is a typical imaginative play behaviour associated with advanced sociocognitive skills; however, the direction of causality has not been established. To investigate this experimentally, researchers must determine whether children can create, on request, qualitatively equivalent imaginary companions (ICs) to those created spontaneously. We examined whether children could create ICs, and how these compared to SICs. Nine elementary school children were encouraged to create ICs in a 3-month intervention. Accounts of elicited ICs were compared with an age-matched sample of interviewees with SICs. Seven children maintained ICs for 6 months post intervention. Template analysis of IC interviews found four themes: Realistic Play, Multifaceted IC Mind, Utility of the IC, and Elicited IC Across Time. Analysis suggests elicited and SICs were similar in nature and utility, although intervention ICs tended to have animal rather than human appearances. Findings support the argument that children can be encouraged to create ICs similar to SICs.

This article examines how client expectations about psychological therapy compare with subjective experiences of undertaking therapy. We interviewed 10 clients who had recently completed therapy about their expectations and experiences, and thematically analysed data in the template style. Three themes are presented ([1]"I didn't know what I was capable of"; [2] "It's 50% me, 50% her"; [3] "You take your stabilisers off and off you go") which describe the experience of psychological therapy from the client perspective, and highlight how expectations compared to experiences of therapy, and changed over time. Findings could inform the development of materials to ensure those referred to therapy are well informed and prepared for therapy, potentially promoting improved client experiences and therapy engagement.

This study explored how people thought and talked about death/dying during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings presented here are based on data collected for a larger study exploring the processes undertaken that allow individuals to actively think and openly talk about death and dying. Ten of the eleven interviews conducted during the pandemic mentioned COVID-19. These were subjected to thematic analysis, which identified two main themes: 'Becoming more thoughtful and open about death' and 'Anxieties around death and COVID-19'. The findings suggest that COVID-19 has prompted some people to think about and become more open to talk about death and dying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compared oral health behaviours and barriers to dental care among preschool children with and without ASD, and evaluated dental knowledge and attitudes of their parents. 257 preschoolers with ASD and an age- and gender-matched control sample were recruited. Children with ASD had less frequently performed tooth-brushing and used toothpaste, but more often required parental assistance in tooth-brushing (p < 0.05). Barriers to dental care were more frequently reported among children with ASD (p < 0.001). Parents of children with ASD had higher scores in dental knowledge and attitudes than those without ASD. Differences in oral health behaviours and barriers to dental care existed between preschool children with and without ASD. Parents of children with ASD had better dental knowledge and attitudes.

Aim: To assess and compare the oral health status of preschool children with and without autism spectrum disorders. Methods: A random sample of 347 preschool children with autism spectrum disorder was recruited from 19 Special Child Care Centres in Hong Kong. An age- and gender-matched sample was recruited from mainstream preschools as the control group. Dental caries status, gingival health status, tooth wear, malocclusion, dental trauma and oral mucosal health were assessed and compared between the two groups. Results: It was feasible to conduct a comprehensive oral health screening among 74.1% (257) of the children with autism spectrum disorder. The mean age was 59 ± 10 months (range from 32 to 77 months), of whom 84.4% were males. Children with autism spectrum disorder had better gingival health than children without autism spectrum disorder (mean plaque score and gingival score p < 0.001). Children with autism spectrum disorder had less caries experiences than children without autism spectrum disorder (mean decayed, missing and filled surfaces and decayed surfaces, p < 0.05). Children with and without autism spectrum disorder had similar prevalence of tooth wear, malocclusion, dental trauma experience and oral mucosal lesions (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Differences in oral health status exist among preschool children with and without autism spectrum disorder. Preschool children with autism spectrum disorder exhibited lower caries experiences and better gingival health than children without autism spectrum disorder.